Marcelo Bosch pays tribute to wife Agustina as Saracens attempt to defy the odds against Clermont

The adversity that Saracens face today may be even thicker than they might have imagined when the Champions Cup pools were drawn, but each player will be buoyed by a poignant, personalised tribute on their match shirts.

Because of advertising regulations in France, the European champions are replacing the logo of sponsor Betsafe with the name of an individual who has inspired them by overcoming the odds.

Marcelo Bosch did not need too long to make his choice. The name of his wife, Agustina, will be on his back when he runs out at the imposing Stade Marcel-Michelin.

“The reason? There are loads,” explains the centre. “I am only here because of her and the effort she makes for us. Our home is here now, of course, but we are away from Argentina and we have twin boys who are 2½. You can imagine all the work she does for me to still be able to play at this club.”

Marcelo built up the courage to ask Agustina for her phone number in the summer of 2010 at Belgrano Athletic rugby club while he was back in Buenos Aires. Their sons, Salvador and Valentin, would arrive five years later after Bosch had traded Biarritz for Saracens and was fixed on one last foray with the Pumas.

Bosch helped Argentina beat South Africa two weeks after his twin sons were born in 2015Credit:
AFP

“They were born in 2015, just before the World Cup,” he continues. “I had to play in the Rugby Championship before the World Cup, so Agustina went back just before the end of the season – around April or May – and waited for me there until I came back from the club.

“We had a game against Australia in Mendoza and the coach told me not to go because there was a chance that the babies would be born. It turns out they were born on that exact date.

“Luckily, I was able to be with my wife. But 10 days afterwards, I flew to South Africa. I came back, played another game and then, after two or three weeks together with the kids, I flew back over to England for the World Cup.

“She was at home with her parents while I was here playing the World Cup. That’s why I owe her a lot, and why I chose her.”

As far as campaigns go, this is an inadvertently snugger fit for Saracens’ recent woes. A vast injury catalogue is now topped by the experienced duo of Brad Barritt and Richard Wigglesworth.

An error-strewn, 46-14 thrashing on Monday by today’s rivals Clermont at Allianz Park was a sixth straight loss in all competitions.

But some moving stories have also been unearthed. Calum Clark will recognise Mark “Sven” Edmonson, a cousin battling cancer. Mako Vunipola is honouring ambitious grandfather Sione, while Richard Barrington has chosen to wear “PDP” – the initials of hugely popular former team-mate Petrus du Plessis, now at London Irish.

Reflecting the honesty of their director of rugby, Mark McCall, Saracens have not moped. The engaging Bosch does not fumble for inane excuses.

Bosch shackles Peceli Yato at Allianz ParkCredit:
Getty Images

“I don’t think we started the game badly,” he shrugs. “Our attacking went quite well early but we couldn’t quite take our chances. They scored from their first two chances.

“We’ve had some defeats recently and perhaps that played on our minds. I don’t know, when you play a team of individuals like that and you are not really on it, you pay cash at the end – you pay with points against you.”

Turning 34 next month, Bosch is one of the elder Saracens. He is aware of the need to savour such a testing, yet rousing trip.

Realistically, a losing bonus point would represent a pretty good result for the Champions Cup holders. There is far too much quality to settle for that, though.

“Games like these feel unique,” Bosch says. “My age means I am in my last years in my career. The chance to go out and play a game like this one is a gift. I try to embrace it as much as I can and do as best as I can for the team.

“We’ll try our best. When they don’t go your way – that’s sport. That’s life, sometimes. The good thing about this group is that we are honest with ourselves because we care.”